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In this episode of Voices of Fostering, we sit down with Joel - who took the leap into fostering with his husband Jake after 13 years together. Joel shares the honest, emotional, and inspiring story of their journey: from navigating the approval process and welcoming two emergency placements, to taking four children on their first-ever holiday abroad.

We talk about:
💛 What led Joel and his husband Jake to choose fostering over adoption or surrogacy
💙 What the assessment process is really like - and why it's less scary than you think
🌟 The highs of creating lifelong memories for children in care
💔 The heartbreak of a fostering journey ending — and how they got through it
❤️ Why Joel says fostering is "the best thing we ever did"

Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, a couple, or simply someone with love to give — this episode is for you.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

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What happens when your fostering journey takes an unexpected turn?

In this episode of Voices of Fostering, Helen sits down with Scott — a foster carer with a story of an unexpected journey to tell.

Scott and his then-wife set out to foster a sibling group, got exactly what they hoped for, and were well on their way — until their marriage broke down. Rather than walk away, both chose to continue fostering as solo carers, putting the children's stability first and showing them what an amicable separation can look like.

Now a Stayover (respite) carer, Scott opens up about:

• Why he and his ex-wife chose to start fostering
• Navigating the approval process and what to really expect
• How they handled separation while keeping the children's wellbeing at the centre
• What stayover fostering is and how it fits around a busy, travel-heavy career
• Why he believes there's a type of fostering for everyone

Whether you're curious about fostering or somewhere along your own journey, Scott's story is a powerful reminder that fostering can fit into your life — whatever it looks like.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

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In this episode of Voices of Fostering, experienced foster carers Travis and Marisol sit down with Tim Barclay, CEO of National Fostering Group, for an honest conversation about the realities of foster care—from both sides.

Discover how carer feedback shapes decisions at the highest level, why innovations like Magic Notes are transforming supervising social worker visits, and what it's like to advocate for children facing increasingly complex needs.

Travis and Marisol don't hold back—they share what's working, what's challenging, and why resilience and authenticity matter so much in fostering. Tim opens up about staying grounded, the importance of support groups, and how National Fostering Group is fighting for better resources from local authorities and other health services.

Key Topics:
✅ How carer feedback drives real change
✅ The game-changing Magic Notes innovation
✅ Supporting children with complex needs
✅ Navigating local authority challenges
✅ Why foster carer support groups matter
✅ What makes a great supervising social worker relationship
✅ The future of foster care support

Whether you're a foster carer, thinking about fostering, or work in the care sector, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how fostering agencies can truly put carers and children first.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

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Meet Carol and John, a remarkable foster care couple who've dedicated 15 years to transforming young lives—and at 75, they're still going strong.

After finding each other through shared dreams of fostering, this dynamic duo has welcomed dozens of children into their home. Carol, a retired nurse, brings empathy and structure, while John offers warmth and heart—the perfect balance for vulnerable young people.

In this episode, they share their greatest achievement: advocating for a pregnant 15-year-old when authorities planned to take her baby at birth. Their unwavering support helped her keep her son, who's now nearly six.

From full-time placements to providing crucial respite for over 20 children last year, Carol and John prove that fostering enriches lives at any age. Their advice? Just give it a try.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

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Meet Callum, a former police officer who made the leap from frontline policing to becoming a Supervised Family Center Manager at Heath Farm. In this episode of Voices of Fostering, he shares how his police experience—from conflict management to communication skills—translates perfectly into supporting children in care.

In this episode, you'll discover:
✅ Why blue light workers make excellent foster carers
✅ The transferable skills from emergency services to fostering
✅ Real challenges foster carers face (and how to handle them)
✅ The support systems available to new foster carers
✅ How becoming a father changed Callum's career perspective

Whether you're a serving police officer, firefighter, paramedic, or simply curious about fostering, this conversation reveals how your existing skills could make a real difference in a child's life.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

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Meet Casey, a Family Support Worker at the National Fostering Group who's walking the walk—not just talking it. From volunteering in Indian orphanages at 19 to adopting two boys and now supporting foster families daily, Casey brings lived experience to everything she does.

In this episode, Casey shares:
✨ Her unexpected journey from world traveler to adoptive parent
💪 How cold water swimming helps her stay strong for vulnerable youth
🎮 Creative ways to have difficult conversations through games
🏔️ Empowering programs like Jamie's Farm and Duke of Edinburgh
🌊 Why finding your outlet matters when supporting others

"You can't pour from an empty glass" isn't just a saying for Casey—it's a daily practice.

Thinking about fostering? Casey's advice: Don't rule yourself out. The skills can be learned, but the heart? That's what matters.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

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Meet Scott, a foster carer from Kent who has dedicated 20 years to transforming the lives of children with complex needs. Since 2005, Scott and his wife Haley have fostered 13 children, specializing in long-term placements for neurodiverse young people.

In this inspiring conversation, Scott shares:

✨ How fostering has evolved from 2005 to 2026, with therapeutic practices replacing outdated approaches
📚 The reality of raising foster children alongside his own family — and teaching for six GCSEs along the way
🎓 A powerful story of advocacy: helping a child move from special needs school to mainstream education, leading to a successful apprenticeship
💡 His biggest lesson: the power of patience and not rushing to judgment
🏃‍♂️ How running marathons worldwide (including all six major marathons) has enriched his fostering journey — even taking a foster son to Tokyo

Scott's message is clear: fostering is a lifestyle choice that requires kindness, patience, and a willingness to see beyond the labels that follow vulnerable children. The child you see today isn't always the one written down in reports.

If you're considering fostering or want to understand the profound impact it can have, this episode is a must-watch

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube

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In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Erin, who shares her unique perspective on fostering as a sibling. At 20 years old, Erin opens up about what it was like when her mum became a foster carer and how welcoming an 11-year-old foster brother transformed their family dynamic.

Erin shares honest insights about the initial nerves, the approval process, and the beautiful moments that come with expanding your family through fostering. From cinema trips to welcoming six cats into the household, this conversation reveals how fostering doesn't just change one life—it enriches an entire family.

Whether you're considering fostering or simply curious about the experience, Erin's story offers an inspiring look at the meaningful impact fostering can have on everyone involved.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube